Vermont Health Care Reform Plan

On May 25, 2006, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas signed into law comprehensive health care reform legislation. The plan is designed to increase access to affordable health care while reducing cost through quality improvement measures. The plan requires employers to provide or help finance coverage for their workers. For individuals, participation in the new coverage program is voluntary, though the state legislature will reevaluate the need for an individual mandate if 96 percent of state residents are not covered by 2010.